Tuesday, October 31, 2006
The 3 steps to success..
[9:53 pm]
Boss sent me for a seminar today. A waste of time, that was what I thought when I registered at the counter this morning..especially since I hadn't got enough sleep after working late into the night.
But, this seminar turned out to be an interesting one..one which taught me how to tell stories..what are the things to look out for when telling stories..and it was also a chance to network with the other services.
But that's not what I want to say today..I want to share a story which I found inspiring;
The former world tennis champion, Boris Becker, was being interviewed on a radio program. Had he always been a champion, the interviewer asked.
No, he hadn't, he said. Although when he'd been young he'd been picked as a potential future prospect But the other boys had been than him, more naturally gifted. And he had often had to play the best of the girls, who were a better match for him than the more naturally talented boys.
"So where are they now, these boys?" said the interviewer. "What happened to them all?"
"Well," said the former champion, "they just didn't make it.For all their talent they didn't have what it takes."
"So what does it take?"asked the interviewer.
"You've got to want it enough."
"Is that the secret?"
"There's another. It takes discipline. No matter how much talent you have, you have got to have the discipline to nurture and develop it. You've got to prioritise and give up a lot of things that can seem very attractive at the time."
"Is that the secret?"
"There's another," said the former tennis ace, "and it's harder and more demanding than the first two put together. You need humility, no matter how good you are. You need humility to listen to your coaches, to take advice, to test new possibilities, and to admit you don't know everything. Feedback is the breakfast of champions. These three things are the secrets of my success."
Well, moral of the story? To suceed, one must be disciplined, prioritise what I want and learn to listen.
And did I mention SDU gave me a free two-year complimentary membership? Maybe one of these days when my schedule isn't that tight I might join their activities..
Labels: Grumblings
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Sunday, October 29, 2006
Why am I torturing myself
[10:39 pm]
on a Sunday morning..pounding the tarmac at ECP when I can be sleeping in? Waking up at 6.30 on a Sunday morning was a torture to begin with, especially since I slept at 2.30 the night before after a long day.
I finally managed to squeeze out some time and made a trip down to town to "enjoy" the sights after a long absence.Seems like town have changed alot or rather, I have not been able to enjoy the sights and sounds of civilisation at all.
Sometimes, we just to have ask for time-out and really take a break from all the stuff the world throw at us and smell the flowers for a while. Like, making a trip down to ECP and enjoy the breeze coursing through my hair, caressing my face as I pound the tarmac.
So, it will be a torture if I allow myself to think of it this way...but if I think of it as a time-out, then I will feel better. Not that I am feeling better after running 20+ km and my joints now hurts like hell...
I guess thats the mentality I will try to adopt for my work..take the work (read: shit) I am doing now as a training ground for my future tryout as a pilot. Not only do I one to fly, I want to soar in the skies..and possibly with you by my side.
Labels: Grumblings
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Tuesday, October 24, 2006
My Birthday wish...
[10:20 pm]
is not anything of material value..but one which is a quiet affair..one which entails spending some time with the special someone..having dinner and perhaps a glass of wine or two..
It is said that you should spend your birthday with only the one you love..I am no exception. And I only one to spend it with you..you know who you are.
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Saturday, October 21, 2006
Running from everything...
[3:52 pm]
It's always the memories of the yester-years which will come back to you..no matter how you run away..I tried running away from it..but somehow, it still came back..
Is there a train/plane ride which I can hop on and run away from everything, just like the song below?
Runaway Train - Soul Asylum
Call you up in the middle of the night
Like a firefly without a light
You were there like a blowtorch burning
I was a key that could use a little turning
So tired that I couldn't even sleep
So many secrets I couldn't keep
I promised myself I wouldn't weep
One more promise I couldn't keep
It seems no one can help me now,
I'm in too deep; there's no way out
This time I have really led myself astray
Runaway train, never going back
Wrong way on a one way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Can you help me remember how to smile?
Make it somehow all seem worthwhile
How on earth did I get so jaded?
Life's mystery seems so faded
I can go where no one else can go
I know what no one else knows
Here I am just a-drownin' in the rain
With a ticket for a runaway train
And everything seems cut and dried,
Day and night, earth and sky,
Somehow I just don't believe it
Runaway train, never going back
Wrong way on a one way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Bought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a madman laughing at the rain
A little out of touch, a little insane
It's just easier than dealing with the pain
Runaway train, never going back
Wrong way on a one-way track
Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there
Runaway train, never coming back
Runaway train, tearing up the track
Runaway train, burning in my veins
I run away but it always seems the same
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Saturday, October 14, 2006
Burnt Out case...
[5:18 pm]
I feel so burnt out..I need a break..
Is it because my threshold for stress is not high enough? Or am I bogging myself down too much? How many off-days have I forfeited just because the amount of work I am handling has forbade me to clear my off?
I think, sooner or later I will be going down the path of mental self-destruction or rather, incapacitation.
Arrgh..in short, the work is driving me crazy..
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Wednesday, October 11, 2006
A raw material to be refined further?
[9:46 pm]
Just to share something my upper study was telling me this morning..that I am someone rough which needs refinement to reach my full potential.
But it would entail some sacrifice..sacrifice in terms of my personal time..time away from my loved ones, time away from doing the things that I love, time to even go after any potential love interest...in short, no life..
I know I can do it, but I am at a dilemma...I want to prove my worth in the organisation and make my 6 year stay worthwhile..yet I am not prepared to sacrifice my personal life to do so..
Can someone shine some light and guide me out of the darkness?
Labels: Grumblings
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Saturday, October 07, 2006
My material wants...
[8:06 pm]
Man has been tempted by many wants, including me. What do I want? The usual stuff; a house and a car of course. A house of my own would always be my first priority and no, I would not settle for a condo or those landed property.
I am those neighbourhood boys, prefering to stay in those high-rise HDB flats. Nothing beats like a quiet neighbourhood, with plenty of amenities and good public transportation system, in case I leave the car at home.
Now, if I prefer to drive, these are the cars that I will rather drive, in the order of peference;
Saab 93 Aero - It is a smooth and sexy looking car, just the kind of car I am looking for. With the built-in turbocharger, this car isn't like those with the looks only (read- Tuscani), it has oomph factor too. Not cheap at a pop of over $150k though.
Subaru Legacy GT - The only Japanese car in my line-up. I have driven one of this baby before and all I can say, is..wow!! It has a smooth and refined power, not like those raw and rough types like the Rex. Guess you can say I prefer things which is powerful yet refined.
Volvo S60 - Built like a tank, this car also oozes smooth and refined power. Just what I need in a car. Its also the roomiest car of all my favourite cars. Looks wise, its also a sexy looking member. Guess those Swedes are good at building those sexy looking and powerful cars.
BMW 323 - The only car that do not come with a turbocharger. Looks wise, it does look sexy and its definitely a babe-magnet. Never understand why gals are so into this car. But nevertheless, it's a solid-built car.
Well, you can see now, I do have expensive tastes, don't I? But with the sky-high prices of all these cars, the only time I will get them is when I have saved up enough..haha..when will that be? I will let you know..
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Thursday, October 05, 2006
Tired....
[10:04 pm]
As technology improves, our ability to communicate with one another goes up tenfold, be it you are 10000 miles away or just next door. Now, that's the problem. On the contrary, our ability to handle talk to one another on a more personal level becomes worse.
I am not a person who like to "chat" using SMS, email or online chats. With SMS, email or online chats, one can always give the excuse that they are too busy to reply or they never even received anything. Such is the wonders of technology..gives people the ability to lie or deny anything.
Then why is it so difficult for you to just reply to a SMS or pick up a call? IS IT BECAUSE YOU ARE BUSY OR RATHER, YOU NEVER RECEIVE MY MESSAGES AT ALL? History has proven many times that avoidance is always not the way to resolve any issue. Nor is the denial of the fact that a problem does exists between both of us.
Sooner or later we would have to face this problem, so why are you assuming that things are still status quo? If it won't work out, it won't work out at all. All I want is to have a good chat with you, to iron out all the teething issues..what's so difficult? Difficult for you in the sense that you will disappoint me?
Sometimes I feel so resigned, yet I want to clarify with you..so that I can go on my detachment with a peace of mind..provided if you do see this blog..which I doubt you will...
Labels: Grumblings
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Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Stretching the limits..
[11:15 pm]
I am becoming more like a rubber band..being stretched slowly and surely by my bosses. Being a typical engineer that I am, once the rubber band crosses its elastic limit, it can never go back to its original shape.
I think for the next few months, this will be the case. The prep trainings for the upcoming overseas posting have been taxing both on the body and soul. Coupled with the ops-manning duties I have to perform, the amount of time available even to go out with her, if she is free, is limited.
Sometimes I do tell remind myself to SMS her, to ask her about her day, or even to say hello, but somehow or rather, I would be so bogged down by work that it slips my mind. Suffice to say, I have not been keeping in touch with her for a good while.
I do wonder at times, is she really that busy or is she using her work as a pretext to avoid me? Granted that she would be going on her OJT this month and complete her training next month, there would be even less time between us.
I seriously believe that things between us should be sorted out once and for all, yet all these harping is no use if she don't want to commit to it. Should I just forgo this issue and concentrate fully on my career for the next 6 years and leave to pursue my dream?
My mind is really stretched thin by all these work and relationship issues that i think I need to leave the country and seek solace somewhere...I need a break..
Labels: Grumblings
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Sunday, October 01, 2006
One Wedding down, 3 more to go..
[8:55 pm]
What a smashing weekend this has been..from Friday all the way till today that is. This is the first full weekend that I managed to have ever since I came back from my course.
Well, simply put, I partied myself silly..to the extent I retrieved my car the following day. Some of the lessons had to be learnt the hard way;
1) Never drink beer and hard liquor together. You will get a bloody hangover the next day and you will puke like there's nobody's business. I puked twice after that session and twice again the following day. Even the dim sum at Grand Peony over at Conrad couldn't placate the queasy stomach in the morning. Imagine puking away those good stuff 30 minutes after eating them...haiz..hate to see such good food go to waste. I felt so guilty towards my friend who made an effort to meet up with me after so long..damnz..
2) The best cure for hangover is aspirin and plenty of sleep to let the body heal by itself. Once that's done, time to load up on water to replenish the fluids lost.
Well, at least by night time I was good enough to attend one of my school mate cum colleague's wedding. He is a lucky guy though, he was played by the sword-bearers and squadron mates too much. I have seen military weddings where the groom was played big time by the sword bearers and unit mates.
I have been told that for my wedding next time, I would be played big time by all friends..haha..well that would be on the back-burner for now though..but it was a pretty interesting wedding though. Military weddings never fail to fascinate me even though I have attended so many times..it always so grand and fun at the same time.
Sunday was a day of rest, to recharge for the long week ahead. I have some work to do but I can't seem to find the mood to start on them. Guess I would have to reach office early tomorrow morning and do them. Oh well, time to go and relax again..cheerios!!
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